‘My 600-lb Life’: When losing weight is a collective challenge
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
‘My 600-lb Life’: When losing weight is a collective challenge
HBO Max’s My 600-lb Life: Mexico has been as successful as the original series on which it is based. Viewers tune in to the daily life of people who weigh more than 250 kilos (550 pounds) The initial challenge is to lose between 10 and 25 kilos of their current weight to show that they are committed and can be consistent. The reward is surgery to shrink the stomach. In Mexico, unhealthy weight is common. A 2023 National Health and Nutrition Survey reported that 37.4% of Mexican adults were overweight and 37.1% were obese. But the radical change of diet is not only an individual challenge, it is also a family commitment, because everyone eats together in Mexico. It is common for the participants to complain about the lack of solidarity in their family, despite verbal encouragement. But when they fail, the doctor, family members and partners take them to task. The portions at mealtimes have to be cut from four times the amount one person might reasonably expect to eat to the correct amount.
In Dr. Patricia’s office, Luis Torres sits with his wife. He weighs 250 kilos and the doctor tells him that his goal will be to lose 20 kilos in two months. He nods and nervously runs his hands over his thighs. “Twenty kilos? Oh gee, my heart and my blood are in my feet right now — will 18 kilos do, or must it be exact?” The doctor smiles and says yes, it must be exact. Torres scratches his head. “Okay, doctor. Okay,” he says.
The show has six participants at a time, all struggling to forego their usual diet. No more corn chips and especially no soft drinks, which are widely consumed in Mexico. The Pan American Health Organization estimated that in 2020, Mexicans consumed approximately 163 liters of sugary drinks per person per year, just under half a liter per day. But the radical change of diet is not only an individual challenge, it is also a family commitment, because everyone eats together in Mexico.
It is the partners, siblings, and children who provide the necessary support. The shopping is done together, the food is laid out on the table and anything outside the guidelines will be a terrible temptation for the participant. Although most of the show’s contestants follow the steps indicated by nutritionists, when temptations are placed under their nose, it’s hard to resist. On the videos taken of their home lives, it is common for the participants to complain about the lack of solidarity in their family, despite verbal encouragement.
The diet is a joint effort as the family eats together.
In Mexico, unhealthy weight is common. A 2023 National Health and Nutrition Survey reported that 37.4% of Mexican adults were overweight and 37.1% were obese. On the show, participants are asked to do exercise at home, such as walking or weights, with the family joining in. After two months, they are weighed. This often involves hours of travel as most scales will not take a person weighing over 200 kilos.
Fatal attraction
One participant, Jorge Porras, is asked how the weight loss will affect the relationship with his partner, Carlos. “Because he has always said that his attraction to you was because of your size and now if you are not going to have that, is he going to go off you?” Looking concerned, Jorge replies, “Well, I don’t know, I don’t think so, I have to do this to give him quality of life.”
For those who manage to lose the required weight, scales day becomes a celebration. But when they fail, the doctor, family members and partners take them to task. The portions at mealtimes have to be cut from four times the amount one person might reasonably expect to eat to the correct amount.
If the participant receives the thumbs up from the medical team, they are offered an appointment for surgery. This is usually a gastric bypass, a procedure in which surgeons shrink the stomach so that the feeling of hunger is reduced. Following the surgery, participants are expected to keep to a strict diet and exercise regularly.
The show also reflects how the participant’s relationship with their family changes as the weight falls off — this could be depending on them less or fulfilling a different role within the family. For fans of the original series, the diversity of diets and eating habits is also fascinating because, while both the U.S. and Mexico have a massive obesity problem, the food and routines are completely different.
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